Highpointing: It?s Not Just For Mountaineers

Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa. Hoosier High Point, Indiana.

They may not have the name recognition of Mount McKinley (Denali), Mount Rainier, Mount Whitney, and Mount Hood. And they certainly are far, far easier to get to! But all these places have something in common. Each is the highest natural spot in its state.

Welcome to the world of Highpointing. Thousands of otherwise sane people have set out to drive, stroll, hike, or climb to the highest point in each of the 50 states. Many never plan to make it to the tougher highpoints like Denali (in Alaska), Rainier (in Washington) or Granite (in Montana), but they've discovered the fun in planning trips to locate the unusual "summits" of Sunflower (located on the flatlands of Kansas), Ebright Azimuth (yes, a suburban neighborhood can be the site of a state highpoint), Hawkeye Point (located at the end of a feeding trough on a farm in Iowa), and Lakewood Park (turn right at the restrooms, and stroll a short way along a path in a Florida park).

Of the 50 state highpoints, 14 are drive-ups. You drive right up to the highpoint, or so close to it you could toss a rock and hit it. Probably 8 more are extremely easy, involving a round-trip walk or hike of 30 minutes or less. In fact, only about 9 or 10 of the state highpoints involve more than a hike along a good trail. OK, some of these trails require long hikes that may gain a fair amount of elevation. Still, if you're in good condition, and can walk for many hours, you can manage to check off about 40 state highpoints!

Why do people get into highpointing? It's a great way to see our country. You'll find highpoints in popular resort areas (Mount Mansfield at Stowe in Vermont), National Parks (Clingmans Dome, in Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee), and State Parks (Mauna Kea in Hawaii; Harney Peak in Custer State Park, South Dakota). But many highpoints are well off the beaten path, and will take you to beautiful and interesting parts of the country that you may have otherwise overlooked. Eagle Mountain is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota. Oklahoma's highpoint, Black Mesa, is near the very tip of the panhandle. Taum Sauk Mountain in Missouri is in a beautiful region of the Ozarks. Visit when the autumn leaves are at their peak, climb the nearby Lookout Tower, and prepare to be thrilled.

There are also many interesting things to see and do near the highpoints. Take in a concert by the Boston Symphony Orchestra or Boston Pops at Tanglewood in Massachusetts. Looking for something less cultured? How about the Boll Weevil Monument in Florida? Or the Wisconsin Concrete Park, featuring concrete sculptures of horses, soldiers, and heroes? If food and drink are more to your liking, don't miss a tour of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Vermont, Great Adirondack Brewing Company in New York, or stop in at the Hilltop Restaurant in L'Anse, Michigan for the most decadent (and largest) sweet rolls you can imagine.

Happy Highpointing, everyone!

About The Author

Diane Winger is co-author of "Highpoint Adventures ? The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints", and other guidebooks. Visit www.HighpointAdventures.com to learn more about hiking, climbing, and travel adventures in the great outdoors.

Diane Winger © 2004 All Rights Reserved.

---

Top Five African Safari Destinations

Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More

Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions

A wonderful way to invest in your families' treasure trove... Read More

River Rafting in Colorado

The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado.... Read More

Its an Alien World in Every River

When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More

Costa Rica White Water Rafting Trip

Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible... Read More

Ten African Safari Tips That You Must Know Before You Go

1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More

Highpointing: It?s Not Just For Mountaineers

Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa. Hoosier... Read More

Kerala Backwaters - Gently Down the Stream

The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More

10 Tips to Planning Your Dream Road Trip

Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More

Alaska Sport Fishing Guide

WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More

Welcome to Bragg Creek

Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More

Bicycling Down The River

My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More

Inflatable Pontoon Boats

Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More

A Holiday in Rajasthan

Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More

Costa Rica: Land of Natural Wonders

Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More

Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes... Read More

Survival in the Wilderness: What to Do, What You Need

Summer is for picnics, hikes, outdoor concerts, barbeques ... and... Read More

San Diego Beach Hikes ? Cardiff to Carlsbad

San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the... Read More

Code of Conduct for Outdoor Enthusiasts

My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More

Find Outdoor Camping Gear Online at Great Discount Prices

Before you take off on that great outdoor adventure, be... Read More

Beach Vacation Photo Tips ? Make Your Vacation AND Photos Memorable

Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More

Wildebeest Migration - How To Get The Best Seats In The House

To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari... Read More

River Rafting in Washington State

The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More

Samoa, Heart of Polynesia

The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More

Malaria Prevention - Five Ways to Avoid Catching It on Safari

Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More

Japanese Garden of Monaco

Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More

How to Save Money AND help the planet

Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More

Bird Watching Life Lists ? Keeping A Record

If you're a birder, you want to keep a list... Read More

Cycling in Europe: There?s More to the Tour de France than Lance

For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More

Greek Food

A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More

New Technologies in Camping and Outdoor Clothing Enhance the Outdoor Experience

Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More

Unforgettable Cape Cod Vacations: The National Seashore Gift

Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More

The Benefits of One Day Hiking Trips

Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More